Way OT: Question about RLS

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vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Gennie" :

]somebody here mentioned something that they did that ]helped their Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

basically, a potassium-rich diet [lots of fruits and vegetables] and lots of water is the "home remedy" - but I AM NOT A DOCTOR!!!!!

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis

You may want to have your B 12 levels checked next time you are at the doctor. Don't know your age and B 12 problems are more common the older you get. Very bad if not enough B 12- nerve damage. Also have a rich in minerals diet potassium esp. for leg and other cramps. Susan W

I think I was mentioning that lots of water and bananas (the idea was that I was low on potassium) was helping me much more then medication had. Several people agreed.

Temporary measures included keeping my legs really warm and keeping them up. That didn't really fix it, it just made it more tolerable for a short while.

I haven't had a doctor yet who has even heard of it other then my psychiatrist, and the low dose of valium he prescribed as a muscle relaxant wasn't useful long-term at all.

marisa2

Gennie wrote:

my doc recently put me on Sinemet for my RLS. it is the first thing I have tried that has helped me. he said this drug is usually prescribed for people with Parkinson's. I was a little worried about taking it at first, but with all the other health problems I am having, I need all the help I can get with trying to sleep. I can also take it before I get on a plane, or something like that when I have to sit still for a long time. this used to be agonizing to have to do. flew to seattle recently and it was so nice to be comfortable.

kellie

Kellie, my husband has RLS, and the sleep study doctor prescribed Sinemet. DH also has high BP, he snores, and has occasional anxiety (which we think is caused by the disturbed sleep!). He takes Rx for the BP, as well as prostate (he's 50), but he doesn't want to take too many pills. So, he doesn't take Sinemet. He drinks a lot of water, and he eats bananas almost religiously, but that doesn't seem to help.

BTW, I just saw something on the news tonight, where they now think that the way our body handles _iron_ has something to do with RLS. When they finally figure it all out, I hope they let us know.

I can sympathize about the RLS (hey, the bed partners suffer, too).

Good luck, Turtlelover

Thanks for the help everybody. I think I'll give the potassium a try. I like banannas anyway so what the heck.... can't hurt. That's interesting about the iron because I'd heard some theories about iron being the problem but iron supplements didn't help me.... but if it's an absorption problem then that would explain why it didn't.

OK back to beads now.

Gennie

Ha! I'll say - Dug and I both have RLS (luckily it's not playing up too much at the mo) so we can really annoy each other if we both have a bad night! I find being too hot aggravates it, so I have a little spray bottle filled with water handy. Just takes the edge off it briefly.

You might try light compression socks or hose. I don't have restless leg syndrome that I know of but often my legs really ache and cramp and spasm. I find that if I do this more than 2 days in a row and put on the socks durning the day, not for sleeping. it helps. I also find if I wear sports anklets at night, cotton socks, I sleep better. You should be able to find the socks at the pharmacy. I use 18mmHg by Sigvaris but that brand is hard to find. I think the easy one to find is ?black and Bauer. Jobst is another common brand. Walmart usually has them as does OSCO drugs. Don't get heavier than that without checking with a doc. Susan W

Be careful when adjusting potassium, the potassium and calcium and sodium levels have to be in a certain ratio or you can screw up your hear rythms. We take packets of Emergen-C for night leg cramps--has all three minerals plus b vits and vit. C, and is easy to take in water.

Also, I have read that rosemary oil is good for RLS. Might try adding more rosemary to your diet too, its good on potatos or meat. Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

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good, Sooz! We do too, and have a box for my son at the dorm too...I keep a few in my purse for times you just really need a little boost, like when mealtime came and went without any actual consumption.... Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery

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I missed the original thread (or I've already forgotten!) but I take a combination of Flexaril and Clonazapam, .5mg each before bed. It is the only thing that allows me any rest, and keeps me from kicking my husband all night. Barbara Dream Master

"We've got two lives, one we're given, the other one we make." Mary Chapin Carpenter

vj found this in rec.crafts.beads, from "Gennie" :

]I'd heard some theories about iron being the problem but ]iron supplements didn't help me.... but if it's an absorption problem then ]that would explain why it didn't.

right. calcium and potassium help the iron get to where it needs to be.

----------- @vicki [SnuggleWench] (Books)

's not what you take, when you leave this world behind you;it's what you leave behind you when you go. -- Randy Travis